Cancun to Cozumel Ferry Options

[jpdunc]

After months of waiting, our rescheduled October 2005 trip is a couple of weeks away. Because of the huge difference in airfare cost from Orlando to Cozumel as compared to Cancun, we are flying to Cancun.

Consequently, I need advice on the options for the Cancun to Playa del Carmen trip. We have a party of six so is the bus or a van a better option?

Also, does anyone have experience with a company called Get DITA that offers pre-booked van service to and from the Ferry. Supposedly, they track your flight progress and are waiting outside the airport after you clear customs. The round trip charge for a party of 6 or 7 is $130--about $22 per person round trip for our 6.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Rick Osgood]

Sounds a little high. I was there 2 years ago with a group of 5-6 and the van was around $65.00 from the airport to the ferry.

 

[ggunn]

After months of waiting, our rescheduled October 2005 trip is a couple of weeks away. Because of the huge difference in airfare cost from Orlando to Cozumel as compared to Cancun, we are flying to Cancun.

Consequently, I need advice on the options for the Cancun to Playa del Carmen trip. We have a party of six so is the bus or a van a better option?

Also, does anyone have experience with a company called Get DITA that offers pre-booked van service to and from the Ferry. Supposedly, they track your flight progress and are waiting outside the airport after you clear customs. The round trip charge for a party of 6 or 7 is $130--about $22 per person round trip for our 6.

Thanks in advance,

The bus is definitely cheaper, but more of a hassle if you have many folks and lots of gear. One advantage of hiring a van is that you may stop for beer on the way out of Cancun. 22 bucks a head round trip sounds like a good deal to me, especially if you can book in advance and they will coordinate with your arrival and departure times. I have no experience with DITA, though; the last time I did that, we found a van at the airport gate and hired it. It cost ~$20 each (6 of us) for just the one-way trip to Playa.

 

[scubawife]

The bus is cheaper, but, we usually use DITA and have been using them for 5 years (mostly to Akumal). They are very reliable and I personally feel the extra $'s are worth it for my comfort. After a very early morning and the time at the airport and on the plane, I have no desire to haul my stuff to the bus and then from the bus station to the ferry, etc. DITA is always waiting for us and the driver has always offered to help us with bags to the ferry if we wanted it.

A couple years ago we were delayed 7 hrs due to a snow storm, and our friends arrived the next day, and then about 5 hrs later then rescheduled. DITA was there for both of us, and, they did not charge us for an extra one-way. That really impressed me. Even though they had to make two seperate trips on two days instead of just the one pick up, they didn't charge us any extra.

I've done the airport vans going to Puerto Juarez for Isla Mujeres trips and again my preference is to have a private van waiting for us. But, I don't go on vacation if I have to watch every penny, so the few extra dollars for my comfort and convenience are totally worth it to me.

 

[jpdunc]

Thanks for the input so far. Based upon the responses, I think we'll book with DITA for the round trip.

We can hardly wait...we're suffering from compressed air withdrawal.

 

[Wristshot]

I have taken the bus twice, but never used DITA so I can only speak to one of the two.

The bus to Playa cost $8 at the Airport in Cancun each time 2003 & 2004. The bus return trip was 65 pesos or $8 in 2003 and similar in 2004. If you are lucky you won't have to wait long for the bus as they leave at :45 after the hour (as I recall). However, you do have to schlep your gear and bags all the way to the bus (or pay someone). It is a bit of a walk, maybe 200 yards. Not bad, but not fun when it is hot and you are tired.

Not sure where the vans pick you up.

On my first trip there were guys trying to convince us to hire their vans for the return trip from Playa to Cancun. They were haggling and trying to get us to bite. We almost did, but chose to stick with the bus. Who knows if they were reputable. They may have been a DITA van (or equivalent) just looking to avoid dead-heading back. Not a method I would want to employ for a big group, but just something to be aware of.

Let us know afterwards how it worked out.

Wristshot

 

[paulpost]

Hi, I've returned from Coz on Saturday after a week of diving and fun.
Definitely use the van for the price they give you, the buss now is $10 one way.
See if you can find out how far from the pier they will drop you, if you have lots of baggage, you can get for a few bucks a guy with a bicycle-cart to move your luggage.
Have fun
Paul

 

[loudives]

Bus is cheaper and more comfortable than the vans. You have to carry your bags to at least the sidewalk whether you hire a van or the bus. At the sidewalk the van guy will take them but you hire a porter if you want them to take the bags to the bus stop. $1 per bag plus tip.
You may not be alone on the van, they try to go with a full load most are 15 passenger.

IF YOU HIRE A VAN MAKE SURE THE DRIVER DOESN'T GO CRAZY ON THE HIGHWAY! MANY WILL GO REALLY FAST AND ZIP AROUND LIKE THEY'RE THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TELL HIM TO SLOW DOWN. THAT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY IS NOTORIOUS FOR CAR CRASHES. MOST ARE DUE TO CAB AND VAN DRIVERS GOING TO FAST AND CHANGING LANES. THE DRIVERS GET PAYED BY THE TRIP AND TIPS SO THE MORE TRIPS THE MORE THEY MAKE.

 

[scubasherry]

We enjoyed thaking the bus. I have rode in the vans before and it gets pretty cramped. The only confusion we had was we were looking for the Riviara Bus and never saw one. It is ADO now? Red and white lettering and colors on the bus. When we were there Jan 29th it was $7.50. The seats were very comfortable. The large luggage is stored right underneath in a huge luggage compartment. There are over head bins just like in the plane for carry-on's. It is air conditioned. You can pay right at the bus. There is an attendant standing there and will take your money and give you a reciept. Having the correct amount or small bills to pay with will make it easier. I am not sure they would have to much change on them. The bus goes staight to the bus station with no stops. The walk to the ferry pier is all down hill so we did not hire a porter. It was an easy trip.

 

[scubawife]

Bus is cheaper and more comfortable than the vans. You have to carry your bags to at least the sidewalk whether you hire a van or the bus. At the sidewalk the van guy will take them but you hire a porter if you want them to take the bags to the bus stop. $1 per bag plus tip.
You may not be alone on the van, they try to go with a full load most are 15 passenger.

IF YOU HIRE A VAN MAKE SURE THE DRIVER DOESN'T GO CRAZY ON THE HIGHWAY! MANY WILL GO REALLY FAST AND ZIP AROUND LIKE THEY'RE THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TELL HIM TO SLOW DOWN. THAT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY IS NOTORIOUS FOR CAR CRASHES. MOST ARE DUE TO CAB AND VAN DRIVERS GOING TO FAST AND CHANGING LANES. THE DRIVERS GET PAYED BY THE TRIP AND TIPS SO THE MORE TRIPS THE MORE THEY MAKE.

GET DITA is not the airport van shuttle. It's a private transfer company that you book ahead for your party only. No share, no waiting, no stops along the way unless requested. Having used DITA for about 7 trips in the past 5 years, I can tell you that they will meet you with a sign as you exit the airport and help you with your bags (if you need it) to the waiting private van. Their drivers are safe, and they always ask us if we want to stop for drinks on the way. In PDC they will drop you right at the parking lot to the pedestrian mall where you walk down to the ferry. For me, with the bus now at $10 each way, a $130 ROUND TRIP price on a private transfer for 6 people is well worth the less the $2 more per person for the convenience.

I've spent alot of time on the mainland and there are several very serious and fatal accidents on 307. Many of the worst have been caused by tourists who aren't familiar with some of the odd Mexican driving customs - most often, how to make a left turn and how and when to use directionals. The buses or vans causing accidents or having fatal single vehicle accidents due to speed tend to be collectivos, not the transfer companies. The transfer drivers are usually pretty good (they know bad driving will not get them a good tip or repeat business).